If you are a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and want to maintain your CPEng status, then reading this blog is a must for you. Here, we will tell you how you can maintain your chartership as an engineer in New Zealand.
Maintenance of CPEng status in New Zealand:
To maintain your CPEng status, you need to show current competence within your area of practice. This CPEng reassessment takes place at least once every six years.
The information you need to provide the assessment authority will be assessed against specific work and learning outcomes for competency-based assessments.
The assessor will look for the following things:
1. The regulatory, technological, and good practice changes within your practice area since your last assessment or over the last six years, and what actions you have taken to stay updated with these changes.
2. How your work records show the complexity and use of this new knowledge in your engineering work.
3. A copy of your current resume
Assessment process:
The following are the five steps of the CPEng NZ assessment for the maintenance of Chartership:
Step1:
Chartered Professional Engineers have to be reassessed at least once every six years. This is different from Chartered Membership where reassessment is not required. The simplest way to keep track of your development is to record your work and CPD in the member area online. When you are ready, complete all sections of the required assessment online and ensure that your referees have completed their referee statements.
Step 2:
After completing your application, submit it to the team for validation. One of the Competence Assessment Advisors will take care of your application from start to finish. Your advisor will check the information you gave. After that, they will aim to give you feedback within 10 working days. They will tell you if you need to make any changes before you submit your application. If you don’t make any changes, try to get them done when possible. After that, resubmit for validation.
Step 3:
When your application is finalized, an assessment panel will be given to you. It is generally made up of a Lead Assessor and a Practice Area Assessor who has knowledge in an engineering area relevant to your practice area. They will review your application over 8 to 10 weeks, and as a part of this, may video chart or call you for discussion about it too.
The panel will use the proof you submit and the information from your meeting with them to assess your application. They may ask you to give additional evidence to support your application.
Step 4:
When the authority has all the information it needs, it will make a recommendation to the Competency Assessment Board (CAB) about whether to approve your application or not. Your Lead Assessor will tell you their recommendation.
The CAB will consider the panel’s recommendation and make a decision on your application at their monthly meeting. Occasionally, the CAB asks for additional information. Your advisor will tell you if it happens.
Step 5:
Your advisor will inform you about the result of your application. If your registration is maintained, your name will continue to appear on Engineering New Zealand’s ‘find an engineer’ search online which is publicly available.
If your application is not successful or the CAB made an alternative decision, you can respond. Your advisor will let you know about your options.
